​​After receiving inquiries from our legislative partners earlier this month about the process the Maryland Higher Education Commission followed in voting on June 27 to approve Towson University’s doctoral program in business analytics, the Commission sought advice from the Office of the Attorney General as to whether the proper legal process was followed. 

Today, the Commission received that advice (attached)​, which concluded that the Commission had not followed the proper process and, thus, that the Commission’s decision was of no legal effect. The Office of the Attorney General further found that the review process set forth in the Commission’s regulations likely require the Commission to meet again to vote on the academic program under review.  The Commission is dedicated to ensuring that all procedural requirements are met when engaging in academic program review. It is another critical step in the comprehensive process that the Commission has engaged in to help ensure transparency and effective communication as we work in partnership with Maryland's higher education institutions to support our students and build a brighter future for our state.

To that end, MHEC is looking forward to working with the Maryland General Assembly's workgroup, which will provide recommendations to strengthen and improve the academic program review process later this year. The Commission remains committed to engaging with leadership from all of Maryand's higher education community and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to reform and improve the academic program review process.